Check-punch



(No Model.)

T. A. SHORT.

CHECK PUNCH.

No. 446,478. Patented Peb. 17,1891.

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THOMAS A. SHORT, OF FDGERTON, SOUTH DAKOTA.

CHECK-PUNCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 446,478, dated February 17, 1891..

Application led March 28, 1890- Serial No. 345,740. (No model.)

To all whom' it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS A. SHORT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Edgerton, in the county of Charles Mix and State of Sont-h Dakota, have invented a new and useful Check-Punch, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to check-punches, more especially of that class having a revolving frame carrying a number of independent punches; and` the object of the invention is to improve and simplify the construction of machines of this character heretofore used. This object I accomplish by my improved check-punch, which consists in the details of construction hereinafter set Vforth as new, and

as are illustrated in the accompanying draw' ings, in which- Figure l is a front elevation of the punch complete.` Fig. 2 is a central vertical trans verse section thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig/1t is a perspective detail of the inner end of one of the operating-levers, showing its manner of support and connection.

Referring to said drawings, the lette A designates a table, and B a table-plate secu red thereon at a slight distance above the top thereof. Rising through the table is a support C, having a threaded upper end, upon which is secured a nut D for holding the several parts of this device assembled. Turning loosely upon the bolt or support C is a hub or elongated collar E, carrying three disks lettered, respectively, F, G, and II and a top disk or cover I. The upper face of the lowerniost disk or anvil stands in the same horizontal plane with the table-plate B, the latter being cut away at its rear edge to per mit the said disk to turn therein. J is a scale marked upon the upper face of a piece which rests on the plate, for a purpose to appear hereinafter, and K is a guide having a turnedover arm L at one end and a beveled button M at the other. In operation the end L is hooked underone end of the plate, thebodyot' theguide K passed over the plate to the desired point, its other end pushed down past the end of the plate, and the beveled button M turned so as to secure the guide in position upon the plate, all for a purpose to appear farther on. The

said anvil F is provided with twelve depressions or dies representing', respectively, the

figures 1,2, 3, 4, 5, G, 7, 8, 9, and O, the dollarsign, (95,) and some other sign, (as #Q to be placed before and after the amount being stamped or punched, as is common in marking checks, the., upon machines of this character, in order that. additional figures cannot be afterward .punched to raise the aniount indicated by the check.

Sliding vertically through holes in each of the disks G and II are twelve punches N, each of which is pivoted at its upper end to an operating-lever O, provided with a numbered handle P, as shown in the drawings.

The upper end of the hub E carries a notched plate Q, and the inner end of each lever O is seated in one of the notches therein and provided with a transverse pin R, that rests upon the upper face of the plate at each side of the notch to keep said inner end in place. A washer S, the same size as the plate Q, surrounds the bolt C and rests upon the upper sides of the several levers O at their inner ends, wherebyT they are held againstdisplacement, and it will be understood that the engagement ofthe punches N within the holes through the disks G and Il prevents the radial displacement of the levers. The cover or top disk I rests upon the washer, and this cover is held in place by the topmost nut D, which is of fancy configuration to render the device neat in appearance.

T is a curved metallic bar having a slot Z in its upper edge at a point directly opposite the center of the table-plate B. Frein this slot the guide T extends downwardly and rearwardly and its ends are secured to the table A at either side of the frame for the punches. Then said frame is rotated, the several levers ride up over the upper edge of this guide until they come opposite the slot therein, when they may be depressed to bring the punches at their lower ends into the dies which are located in the anvil beneath them, all as will be clearly understood. I prefer, however, to provide springs U, secured at their inner ends to the disk Il near the hub and their outer ends pressing upwardly beneath the levers, as shown in Fig. e. This upward pressure of the springs presses the levers into notches X, formed in the edge oi' a flange Y, surrounding thc cover I, and maintains the punches in normally-raised position. Then IOO brought above the notch in the guide, any lever can be depressed, as just above described, and when the pressure is released it automatically resumes its normal position.

The guide II is obviously to be adjusted forward and back upon the table-platefaccording to the width of the checks being punched. The scale J is located ata suitable point, and is marked so that after one character has been punched in the check the latter can be moved to the left the distance of one mark upon the scale to bring it into proper position to receive the next character. The frame supporting the punches is rotated bythe handles P until the proper number appears over the notch in the guide T, when that lever is suddenlyr depressed and the punch attached thereto passes through the cheek and into the die in the anvil, cutting the desired character in the check.

This device is simple and inexpensive in construction, yet possesses all the attributes and qualifications of a high-priced machine. Its simplicity detracts from thepossibility of its getting out of order, and also permits it to vbe of greater strength and durability than a more complicated machine.

I claim as the salient points of this inventionl. In a check-punch, the combination, with a frame journaled upon a support, punches in said frame, a table carrying said support, and a table-plate secured to said table, of a scale upon said table-plate extending longitudinally thereof, a guide upon said tableplate, having ak turned-over end adapted to engage oneend of said plate and a beveled but-ton on its other end adapted to pass beneath the other end of said plate for adjusting said guide forward and back thereon and for holding it in any position, as and for the purpose set, forth.

9. Thecombination,withtheframe,punches carried thereby, and the table having` the table-plate,of the guide having aturned-over end adapted to engage one end of said plate and a beveled button on the other end adapted to pass beneath the other end of the tableplate, as and for the purpose described.

3. The combination, with the punch-frame having a series of vertical guide-openings near its periphery, a hub within said frame, and a notched plate secured to said hub, of the punches moving` in said guide-openings, the levers pivoted thereto and their inner ends seated in said notched plate, pins through said inner ends resting upon said plate at either side of the notches,a disk above said inner ends, and a securing-nut above said disk, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the punch-frame having a series oi' vertical guide-openings near its periphery, a hub within.y said frame, and a notched plate secured to` said hub, of the punchesmoving in said guide-openings, thel levers pivoted thereto and their inner ends seatedinsaid notched plate, pins through said inner ends resting upon said plate at either side of the notches, a disk above said inner ends, an annular flange on said disk having notches Within which said levers are seated, springs forholding the levers normally in said notches, and 'aA securing-nut above said disk, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedl my signature in presence ot two witnesses.

THOMAS A. SHORT.

lVitnesses:

W. A. Sooinns, C. II. BEEB. 

